Managing Time In the Age of Social Networking
Impossible you say? No doubt.
I’m asked constantly these days how often I go to Facebook and what I do when I get there. If you’ve read my other posts about setting goals and keeping lists, you’ll know that I consider Facebook and social networking sites as tools that you use to help you meet preset goals. If you’ve considered your goals and put them in writing, then it shouldn’t be hard to made social networking a part of your life.
That doesn’t mean you’ll suddenly find pockets of time to hang out and play Scrabble or that farm game everyone seems to be doing. There’s nothing wrong with playing, of course, or spending time pouring over photo albums of your friends’ family gatherings, exotic vacation, or vintage family portraits. It just takes time, and as you do with money, you need to budget that time, or you’ll suddenly wake one day and find yourself so far behind you may never dig out.
So, the question becomes not how much time do you need to use Facebook, but how much time you want to devote to Facebook each day….that’s right, each day.
Think about it. Facebook (or whatever social networking tool you like) is only useful if you use it. It’s about networking…that is, being out in a public place where you can meet and interact with people. If you’re not there you’re not networking.
And don’t think that networking on Facebook matters less to your business than networking at sites that are considered “for business”…places like LinkedIn. Friends and casual acquaintances can be your best supporters and sources for business…if you give it your time. Being there. Letting people know who you are and what you do. Staying because you are part of the fabric of the place rather than someone who drops in just to sell your wares…that all matters when you are using Facebook.
In her book, Thriving In 24/7: Six Strategies for Taming the New World of Work, Sally Helgesen talks about weaving a strong web of inclusion. This means moving throughout the various circles where you have connections, reaching out to people, and overall just staying involved. Facebook is an exceptionally good tool for helping you do this…especially because your time is limited. Think about it…on Facebook you get lots of exposure with no drive time. And it’s as easy to communicate with friends in Europe and Asia as it is those who live right down the street. This matters, not just for sales and other opportunities, but it helps make you better through an exchange of ideas. Especially when you work for yourself or in a small group, Facebook can be a means of keeping yourself fresh and aware of what’s happening in the world away from the places you see every day.
Helgesen says, “change is constant,” and she’s right. It is the one thing we can count on. There is no way to keep up with every change and every resulting opportunity, but upping the chances of seeing opportunities as they arise through change is largely a matter of being out there, talking with people, and noticing what goes on. If you miss something, no problem. You will. You can’t do everything. You can’t even read every post. But if you allow yourself a set amount of time each day, or better yet, several times a day to visit Facebook and scan the updates, you will be much more likely to notice things that relate to you and your work than you would be otherwise.
Several times a day! you gasp. Yes several, because it is easier to keep to your time limits if you visit often, scan the most recent posts, and then move on to your next task. Allow a little time to make comments as you see fit. Even clicking those little “like” icons now and then helps make your friends aware that you are there…that you are paying attention. If something comes up that looks interesting and needs follow up, schedule it in. Make a note on your calendar, and allot time to check out interesting items. You may also just allow enough time each morning to not only scan Facebook but to spend a half hour or so following up anything interesting. Nothing interesting happen one day??? (unlikely, but possible), then don’t worry. Consider it found time…and maybe play that cute farm game or something. But beware. Just as Facebook has increased exposure to more ways to increase our personal and business connections, it as also increased opportunities to procrastinate.
So, you have to ask, am I the master of my time or is Facebook? If it’s you, then take the initiative. Budget your time and make it work however you see fit. Visit Facebook several times a day, but keep it to no more than a ten minute session each time. Scan the updates, follow up if you schedule time for that, or write follow ups into your task list as action items and assign specific windows of time for addressing them. It’s that simple.
Not convinced? That’s okay. I believe Facebook like so much of what is on the Internet these days has an emotional component as well as a practical component. In a coming post, I’ll be interviewing a psychologist and talking more about Facebook, social networking, and how to make it all work for you without driving yourself crazy.